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Germany plans stricter rules against corruption in health sector

Xinhua, July 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

The German cabinet signed off Wednesday on a draft law to tackle corruption in the health sector.

The new law, presented by German Justice Minister Heiko Maas, is designed to tackle illegal deals between health professionals and pharmaceutical companies.

All corrupt doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists and care workers could face up to five years in jail if found guilty of bribery, according to the bill.

German penal rules against corruption in the health sector did not apply to all groups of health professionals so far.

German media's estimates have put the figure of lost money through corruption in Germany at 10 billion euros (about 11.1 billion U.S. dollars) a year.

"Corruption in the health system affects competition, makes medical services more expensive and undermines the trust of patients," said the German Justice Ministry in its draft bill.

The new anti-corruption law is reportedly expected to come into effect in 2016. Endit